JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK VISITOR DIES IN SCRAMBLING FALL
A 42-year-old Culver City man died yesterday afternoon when he fell while scrambling on boulders in Joshua Tree National Park. About 2:30, Antonio Mojica and two companions were scrambling on the rocks in the Hall of Horrors rock climbing area inside the park, when for unknown reasons, he fell about 15 feet into a crevasse and became wedged in some rocks about 50 feet above ground level. Both Mojica's companions and a park ranger performed CPR for 30 to 45 minutes, but when paramedics from Joshua Tree Fire Station 36 arrived about 3:30, Antonio Mojica was pronounced dead.

MORONGO VALLEY MAN HELD AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
A Morongo Valley man was arrested Wednesday evening after an argument with his girlfriend turned physical. According to a Sheriff's report, an argument between David Jackson, 58, of the 10200 block of North Star Trail, and his girlfriend turned physical when he told her to leave the home where they both were living. The report states that Jackson grabbed his girlfriend by the neck and hair and dragged her to the front door and threw her out on to the porch, all while his girlfriend was struggling, kicking and scratching Jackson. After an investigation, Jackson was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with his bail set at $25,000.

Z107-7 TO AIR CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS, LOCAL ELECTION COVERAGE
Starting next week, Z107-7 News kicks our extensive local election coverage into high gear. Managing Editor Tami Roleff tells you what to expect on the air and online…
The election is just a few weeks away. In order to help you be a more informed voter, Z107.7 will air a series of reports interviewing the candidates for each public office, including Yucca Valley Town council, Twentynine Palms City Council, Morongo Unified School District, Hi-Desert Water District, Joshua Basin Water District, Copper Mountain College, and Hi-Desert Medical Center. The interviews will also be posted online at KCDZFM.com. Stay tuned to Z107.7 and find out more about candidates who are running for office.

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES FORUM THIS MONDAY EVENING
The Morongo Teachers' Association and California School Employees Association will sponsor a candidates' forum for Morongo Unified School District Board of Trustees candidates from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 8, at the Friendly Hills Elementary School, 7252 Sunny Vista Road, in Joshua Tree. This candidates' forum allows the four candidates vying for the three open seats for MUSD School board to express their views openly so audience members can understand their positions and make informed voting choices. Candidates attending are Ron Palmer, Ed Will, Karalee Hargrove, and Ralph George. Candidates will make brief statements and answer audience-submitted questions posed by the moderator. The public is invited to attend.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEKS STARTS SUNDAY, HAVE 2 WAYS OUT
Morongo Basin fire departments are urging residents to "Have Two Ways Out" during Fire Prevention Week, October 7 through 13. This year's theme focuses on the importance of planning and practicing a fire escape. Residents should choose a meeting place outside the home where they all meet after getting out of the house. Sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home. Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said, "Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways out is essential to ensuring your family's safety should fire break out in your home."

SWAP MEET/GARAGE SALE ON YUCCA MESA TOMORROW
Tomorrow, starting at 7 a.m. and running until 2 p.m. the Yucca Mesa Improvement Association having a swap meet/garage sale. The sale is open to buyers and sellers alike. The center is located at 3133 Balsa, just North of Aberdeen on the Mesa. To be a seller the charge is $10, buyers free. Pulled pork sandwiches and drinks will be sold for lunch. For more information please 760-364-3525.

BREAKFAST ON COPPER MOUNTAIN MESA TOMORROW
The Copper Mountain Mesa Community Association located in North Joshua Tree will serve their First Saturday Breakfast tomorrow. A breakfast of coffee, juice, eggs your way, pancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy will be served from 8 am to 11 am at 65336 Winters Road for $4.50 per person.

RETIRED TEACHERS MEET NEXT WEEK
The California Retired Teachers' Association will hold its monthly meeting Friday, October 12th at the Helen Gray Center in Joshua Tree at 10 a.m. The speaker will be Cathy Snodgrass, member of the Twentynine Palms Historical Society whose topic will be the November Weed Show. All interested persons are invited to attend. For more information or to make reservations, call by October 7, 760-367-7321.

SOME OFF-ROAD VEHICLE SAFETY TIPS
With the big Sheriff's Search and Rescue off-road fundraiser going on in Johnson Valley this weekend, ROP Broadcast Student Joanne Sorrell has some off-road vehicle safety tips…
Here are some safety tips for the next time you get on an ATV or other off-road vehicle: Always wear a helmet, because you never know what will happen. You should always check your brakes before you leave. Wear good clothes; for example, long pants that cover your legs, a T-shirt is fine, but long sleeves will protect you best. Gloves are also a good idea. Open-toed shoes are not recommended; boots are the safest way to go. Always drive at safe speeds. Lastly always watch for other people because they are unpredictable and it is always safe that you watch for their actions.

BUSY WEEKEND FOR THE JOSHUA TREE VFW
The Joshua Tree Veterans of Foreign Wars Post is serving up a fish and shrimp dinner tonight from 4:30 to 6:30 at the post at 6402 Veterans Way. Sunday breakfast is chicken-fried steak from 8 to 11. And don't forget Taco Wednesday from 11 to 1.

FREE MEAL AND FELLOWSHIP IN TWENTYNINE PALMS TOMORROW
Breaking Bread Ministry is serving a free meal and fellowship tomorrow from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Little Church of the Desert Community Hall in Twentynine Palms. Twentynine Palms Bible Baptist Church volunteers will serve baked chicken, rice, vegetables and dessert.

FREE BREAKFAST IN JOSHUA TREE TOMORROW
Joshua Tree Community United Methodist Church will provide a free community breakfast buffet Saturday morning from 9 to 10. Used clothing, shoes, coats and blankets are free to those in need as supplies last. The church is located at 6213 East Parkway.

TWENTYNINE PALMS HIGH SCHOOL LOOKING FOR YEARBOOK SPONSORS
With Twentynine Palms High School turning fifty, this year's yearbook will be a special one. ROP Broadcast Student Carin-Rae Connor says sponsorships and pre-sales are being sought…
Hey, did you know that Twentynine Palms High School is turning 50 this year? In celebration of this monumental year, Twentynine Palms yearbook is having a special offer on this year's yearbook. For every 50 yearbooks sold, we will give one free engraving on a yearbook. We are also looking for sponsors for our yearbook. Advertisement prices will start at $55 for one-eighth of a page. If you are looking to buy a yearbook, the price will be $65 until March 19, at which point the price will then be $95. For more information, call Twentynine Palms High School at 760-367-9591.

WINNERS OF YUCCA VALLEY PUNT, PASS, AND KICK CONTEST
Local athletes demonstrated their football skills at the Town of Yucca Valley NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition September 22. Winners in the boys' competition included Teagan Lesko in the 6-7 year old division; Abel Lopez won the 10-11 year old; Cameron Roberts won the 12-13 year old; and Grey Tatu won in the 14-15 year old division. The girl's competition saw Ashley Lechner winning in the 8-9 year old division; Raelene Lopez won for 10-11 year olds; and Tyler Hinks got the win in the 12-13 division. The local champions advance to the Sectional Competition to be held at Banning High School November 4. The top four first-place winners in each division among all Sectional winners will advance to the Team Championship Competition hosted by the San Diego Chargers.

MORONGO BASIN TENNIS ASSOCIATION PROGRAM KICKS OFF TOMORROW
The Winning in Tennis, Leadership, and Life program kicks off tomorrow from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Jacobs Park in Yucca Valley. The innovative 12-week, life-skills and tennis program is sponsored by the Morongo Basin Tennis Association. To reserve your place, call the Morongo Basin Tennis Association, 760-365-3851.

BOOK FAIR STARTS MONDAY AT LA CONTENTA
The La Contenta Parent Association Scholastic Book Fair runs Monday through Friday next week from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 53. Parents and guardians are welcome and reminded to sign on campus when you arrive at school.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TONIGHT, CROSS COUNTRY TOMORROW
Coming up in high school sports tonight, it's Yucca Valley High School's homecoming game. The Trojans will play the Silver Knights of Shadow Hills High School of Indio. Twentynine Palms High School will host the Big Bear Bears at home. And Joshua Springs Christian School Lightning football team will play Faith Baptist School of Canoga Park. Kick off time for all games is 7 p.m.

In sports tomorrow, the Yucca Valley cross-country team will participate in the Central Park Invitational in Huntington Beach. The event starts at 9 a.m.